Category: news

“Think It Over’ is the third single from The Mistakes blasting new album ‘Die Laughing’. ‘Die Laughing’ is

From folk-rock trailblazers to country-rock pioneers, the group helped define the '60s. Continue reading…

After a week of subtle teasing, Tony Iommi has finally revealed details of the solo album he’s been working on for some time, leaving hints here and there. “From The Dark” – which features Jorn Lande at the microphone – … Continue reading →

The post Tony Iommi Announces “From The Dark” appeared first on DMME.net.

Two times the iconic charm.

One of the greatest pitfalls of any project falling under the purview of a super-group is an unequally yoked lineup. The list of one-off endeavors featuring a veritable who is who of elite musicians that either managed a mere single studio album or failed to even get beyond a handful of rough drafts that barely qualify as a demo is quite long, owing to clashing egos or chasms in creative goals, but Italian rock and metal label Frontiers Records has proven quite apt in avoiding these snares.

Among their more recent veteran collectives to show heavy promise is the melodic rock quintet Iconic, built off an impressive union of major names in the genre spanning the glory days of 80s arena exploits through the present, all sharing the same philosophy of crafting technically extravagant yet highly accessible material. Their 2022 debut Second Skin set a high standard of excellence that could rival anything that has passed for rock radio in the past 30 years, and their newly finalized follow-up, simply dubbed II, matches it at every point and builds further upon an impressive yet still nascent legacy.

At their core, this is a musical collective that understands how to mix flashy fits of virtuosic flair into the auditory brew without sacrificing brevity or general appeal. At the helm is arguably one of the most powerful voices to rise to prominence in the past 15 years, namely Inglorious vocalist Nathan James, though many likely know him for his 2 year contribution to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His timbre and range consistently exude a level of intensity and ability not commonly heard in modern rock circles, and often resemble the gritty growl of Brainstorm helmsman Andy Franck.

Then again, the barrage of choir-like guitar harmonies and riveting shred-happy solos unleashed by virtuoso six-string wizard Joel Hoekstra and Stryper’s own Michael Sweet make an equally auspicious showing in the arrangement, to speak nothing of the rock-solid riff work filling out the body of each song. Likewise, a band rarely goes far without a correspondingly tight and able rhythm section, and between Thin Lizzy’s Marco Mendoza handling the bass and former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Tommy Aldridge making a mighty racket behind the kit, no weak link in this impressive chain is to be found.

From start to finish, II is an album that defies the trope of a single-based LP loaded with filler and offers up a consistently potent and spellbinding experience. Banger entries like the promotional single and opening foray “Cry No More”, and other similarly upbeat and guitar-oriented crushers like “Open My Eyes” and “Take Me To The Place” match earworm melodies with mesmerizing feats of guitar gymnastics, all the while relying upon conventional songwriting methods that make it all flow seamlessly.

By the same token, more slow-to-mid-paced entries like “Tears Keep On Falling” and “Nothing Left For Me” keep the rock element hard and heavy while striking a more somber tone, James’ powerhouse vocals bobbing and weaving with the shifting dynamics while Hoekstra’s and Sweet’s guitar work shifts brilliantly between tasteful wails and shredding intrigue.

Sometimes the vibe leans into a bluesy shuffle comparable to early 90s Whitesnake as heard on “S.O.S.”, while at others the flashy guitar high-jinks and 80s glam tropes go into overdrive via “Valley Of Lost Souls” and “Written In The Stars”, but whichever song in the rotation has its say, the energy and spirit factor is unabated, even in the case of the laid back power ballad and closer “Heart Of Stone”, which also sees Mendoza’s bass talents get some time in the sun.

Among the many bands out there keeping the classic rock end up and bucking the trend of rap and EDM/pop completely ruling the 2020s, Iconic is a name that should and most likely will increase its reach with the onset of the latter half of the current decade. It largely reaffirms ideas that have been present in hard rock since the mid to late 80s when Stryper and Whitesnake were at their commercial peak, and also when the influence of earlier strides made by Thin Lizzy were still heavily present in popular consciousness, yet it embraces the more grounded and gritty production character of a band that can communicate it all to the current generation without sounding like a mere nostalgia act.

In a time when many of the elder greats have either shed their mortal coil like John “Ozzy” Osbourne or retired from the scene as the legendary David Coverdale has, this the sort of union of elder statesmen and prime aged talent that acts as a bridge so that the torch of rock ‘n’ roll can be passed on without so much as a flicker of its flame, and II is certainly not an album to be missed.

Release Date: July 31st, 2026
Record Label: Frontiers Music SLR
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock

Musicians:

• Nathan James / Vocals
• Joel Hoekstra / Guitars
• Michael Sweet / Guitars
• Marco Mendoza / Bass
• Tommy Aldridge / Drums

II Tracklist:

1. Cry No More
2. All I Want 
3. Open My Eyes 
4. Tears Keep On Falling 
5. S.O.S. 
6. Nothing Left For Me 
7. Far Away 
8. Valley Of Lost Souls 
9. Written In The Stars 
10. Heart Of Stone

Order the album here.

The post ICONIC – II (Album Review) appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Bass player Andy Delarge – Smoking Snakes Interviewed by: Anders Sandavll Thanks to Suzan Kverh at Playground Music for setting up the interview Thanks to […]

The post Smoking Snakes – Bass Player Andy Delarge appeared first on Metal-Rules.com.

LAS VEGAS, NV — When you are tearing down the highway between summer festival grounds, waiting backstage before a crushing headlining set, or just chilling after a night of pure headbanging, finding mobile entertainment that matches the high-energy intensity of heavy music can be a brutal challenge, but heavy metal mobile gaming is officially taking over to bridge that gap.

Engineered for total speed and maximum performance without forcing tedious app store downloads, this platform brings the raw adrenaline of high-stakes casino action, live dealer tables, and global sports betting directly to your smartphone. Whether you need a quick thrill between sets or want to crank up the energy on the road, having a fast, reliable, and rock-ready digital arena changes the entire ride.

Loud Action and Lightning Speed Without the Clutter

Heavy metal culture is all about raw power, zero compromise, and relentless drive—and your mobile gaming experience shouldn’t feel any different. Nobody wants to waste phone storage on bloated apps or suffer through frustrating lag right when the action peaks. The team behind the platform recognized that modern rock and metal fans demand instant access and uncompromising performance wherever they happen to be. By leveraging responsive web technology, players can dive headfirst into the action directly through any browser on Android or iOS.

Loading in under three seconds on mobile networks, the interface strips away the useless fluff that slows down old-school sites. Navigation is clean, responsive, and built for quick touch control, letting you seamlessly shift between roaring slot themes, live table action, and sports betting lines without missing a beat. Everything from registering an account to securing your payout is designed to keep your focus locked entirely on high-octane fun.

A Massive Arsenal Powered by Heavyweight Developers

Beneath the sleek, fast-loading design sits a monster catalog of thousands of games provided by world-renowned gaming studios like NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and BGaming. Instead of watering down the content for mobile devices, every single game feature—from crushing soundtracks to high-definition visuals—is fully supported on your mobile phone or tablet.

• High-Volatility Riff-Fueled Slots: Play feature-packed video slots featuring aggressive mechanics, Hold & Win bonus rounds, massive progressive jackpots, and dark, energetic aesthetic themes.
• Authentic Live Dealer Arenas: High-definition live streams bringing European Roulette, Baccarat Pro, Blackjack, and interactive game shows directly to your phone screen with professional real-time hosts.
• Global In-Play Sportsbook: Live sports wagering covering everything from Premier League football and Formula 1 races to major esports showdowns in real time.

The end result is an explosive, constantly updated gaming portal where heavy visuals and pulse-pounding sound effects combine to deliver a casino experience that feels right at home alongside your favorite heavy metal playlist.

Secure, Fast-Paced Banking Built for the Road

Fast gaming demands equally fast transaction options when managing your digital balance on the road. Utilizing top-tier SSL encryption and robust security protocols, players get complete peace of mind with every transaction. The system accommodates flexible banking choices, ranging from traditional cards to modern e-wallets, mobile pay, and major cryptocurrencies for lightning-fast cashouts.

For fans of heavy music and fast-paced gaming looking for a top-tier mobile experience, checking out Golden Mister offers a premier look at how modern online gaming platforms ought to function. Delivering rock-solid reliability, ongoing rewards, and round-the-clock support, it stands out as a prime destination for mobile players everywhere.

The post High-Octane Riffs and High-Stakes Thrills: How Heavy Metal Mobile Gaming Is Revolutionizing Entertainment appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Nearly two decades after its original release, Nerf Herder‘s IV is finally getting the vinyl treatment it has long deserved. On August

Revisiting metal's glorious '80s era by naming the best album and best song of each year. Continue reading…

Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter and actor who rose to fame fronting the Frames and starring in The Commitments, then gained greater notoriety through the movie Once and the related musical project the Swell Season, has died. Hansard died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in the west of Dublin, which was reported to emergency services shortly before 4:30 a.m. local time, the BBC reports. He was 56.

The post Glen Hansard Dead At 56 appeared first on Stereogum.

Bloodstock Bound: Thrash Mob

As Bloodstock gets closer, we delve deep into the line up to find out more about some of the bands playing the New Blood and EMP stages at this years event.

Today we chat with Thrash Mob

Please introduce yourselves.

Hi! We’re Thrash Mob. We consist of Ruaraidh on vocals. Thai on the drums. Karol on bass and finally Alfie and Charlie on guitar.

How would you describe your sound?

Our style of metal blends old school thrash with a dash of modern influences. If you love the sound of the LA, Bay Area Thrash alongside hints of more modern sounds then we will be your cup of tea.

How did you land your spot on the Bloodstock bill?

We won Nuneatons M2TM

How tough was this years competition?

The competition was fierce this year. There was a range of genres battling it out for the crown. It was a nailbitting experience as all the bands were fantastic!

What does playing at Bloodstock mean to you?

Playing at this year’s Bloodstock is a dream come true. Charlie’s first ever gig was to see Lamb Of God so to be playing on the same day as them is surreal! A few of us attend Bloodstock each year so we are honoured to be taking to The New Blood Stage on the 25th anniversary.

For people who’ve never seen you live, what can they expect at Bloodstock?

HIGH ENERGY, OLD SCHOOL THRASH
Enough said

What day are you performing?

Friday

What other bands are you looking forward to watching at Bloodstock this year?

We’ve been lucky to play/watch some epic bands across the UK who are also appearing at Bloodstock this year. Shadow Company, Meet Your Maker, Soulride and Martyr Saints are all on our schedule. You can catch us in the pits cheering them on.

Playing the New Blood Stage is just the first steppingstone in a bands journey. What’s next in your plans for world domination?

We’ve got some exciting gigs on the horizon for after Bloodstock. We’ll be hitting the road with King Parrot for two dates as well as some top secret appearances yet to be announced. Keep your eyes peeled on the @thashmobuk instagram for details. Merch and our debut EP will also be arriving around October time.

Are you camping with the fans? Which campsite are you heading for?

You can find us in the Artist Campsite but we’ll be in and around the arena everyday. Come say hi if you see us!

You’ve gotta keep hydrated at Bloodstock, what is your drink of choice for the weekend?

We’ll all be well hydrated on water but for the odd taste of luxury the answer varies….

Ruaraidh: Pepsi Max
Charlie: Hoping for Guinness
Karol: Heineken – like the good ol’ days
Thai: Kraken and Lemonade
Alfie: Pepsi Max

See you at Bloodstock in a few weeks!

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Bloodstock Bound: Thrash Mob appeared first on The Razor's Edge.